James City and Williamsburg leaders say a new contract for the localities’ joint school division could be in place by Labor Day.

Earlier this week, the county Board of Supervisors met with the county’s representatives on the school board to discuss the contract. It’s been almost 10 months since the city agreed to negotiate a new contract for the division, which has now expired.

The issue at hand goes back to June 2023 , when the Williamsburg City Council launched a feasibility study on whether the city could operate as an independent public school system. James City County leaders reacted by voting to terminate the joint contract — which has existed since 1955.

After the city’s study showed that a split would disrupt thousands of students while costing city taxpayers more than the ex

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